Meaning

Primary

Wasteful

Alternatives

A Waste, Too Good

Word Type

い adjective

Explanation

You must not use your body for anything wasteful, because that would be a waste. You're too good for that!

This word is used in all kinds of situations where there's a feeling that something is going to waste, including food, money, time, talent, and opportunities. You can also use it to say that someone is too good for a job, or even for another person. While it's usually written in kana, you'll see it in kanji too.

Reading

もったいない
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This word uses the readings you learned with the kanji, except that もち becomes もっ.

Context

Context Sentences

食べ物を捨てるのは勿体ない事ですよね。

It's wasteful to throw away food, isn't it?

折角日本に行ったのに、太鼓の演奏を見ることができないなんて勿体ないですよね。

It's such a waste that you went to Japan but never got to see a taiko performance.

綾乃ちゃんは、亮平には勿体ないよ。

Ayano-chan, you're too good for Ryohei!

Kanji Composition